IS THUNDER BAY OPEN FOR BUSINESS?
This question has been asked for many years but a proper answer has never been given to the people of Thunder Bay. During my term on Council (1994-97) a proactive attempt was made at reducing the waiting period of getting a building permit to an average of two weeks. In recent conversations with many business people, I got the impression that we are now sliding back to longer waiting periods. With a short construction season, this has major implications for the business community.
On the larger scale of attracting outside investors, an operational review of the marketing arm of the City (Development Thunder Bay) was undertaken, and among other changes a process of closer collaboration with Tourism Thunder Bay, Planning & Building, and Realty Services was recommended. At the same time, as a Council representative on the Board of the City’s Economic Development Agency, I extended an invitation on a regular basis to other Councillors, to attend the Board’s monthly meetings. The intent was to bridge the gap between the decision-makers on Council and the front-line operation of this very important agency.
While most Councillors have continued to attend Development Thunder Bay’s Board meetings during the last 3 years, in order to really say that Thunder Bay is open for business, a second and more important criteria needs to be met. I believed then (and still do), that progress requires risk taking. This applies not only at the Council level but at the administration level as well. I am not talking about irresponsible risk-taking, but calculated risk based on a long-term view of each situation.
Let me give some examples: the amount that the City spends on legal fees is directly proportional to the level of risk Council is willing to accept in any given situation. With a range of $1 to $1.5 million per year in legal fees I believe that Council and administration rely too much on lawyers. Before last municipal elections I had requested that a break-down of legal expenses be made available to Council in order to determine were the problems areas were (i.e. are we spending too much on by-laws enforcement, on union arbitration, on legal opinions, etc.). Now, I would go even further and ask that this information be made available to the public.
A more recent example is also troublesome. The Northwestern Ontario Energy Association wanted to buy power in bulk for its members in order to save up to one half million dollar. Thunder Bay as the larger user of power (also the one to benefit the most) was asked to underwrite the accord. City Council refused based on what they perceived was too much risk. The town of Atikokan showed leadership and signed.
In conclusion, while attempts are now being made to review the operation of the Planning & Building department, unless the real issue of leadership from the top is addressed, the problems of red tape and bureaucracy will continue since they are only symptoms of underlying causes. Such leadership will require the knowledge to operate on sound business principles that include risk-taking and a proper system of internal control, and the courage to absorb the political heat away from administration to where it belongs; elected officials. Only then will Thunder Bay be open for business.
Frank Pullia is a former Councillor (1994-97) and the Principal of Pullia Accounting & Consulting. He can be reached at 767-6579 or via e-mail at frank@frankpullia.com Previous articles can be viewed at www.frankpullia.com